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A vibrating cantilever footfall energy harvesting device

Gilbert, James M; Balouchi, Farouk

Authors

Farouk Balouchi



Abstract

Human footfall is an attractive source of energy for harvesting for low-power applications. However, the nature of footfall is poorly matched to electromagnetic generators. Footfall motion is characterised by high forces and low speeds, while electromagnetic generators are normally most efficient at relatively high speed. This article proposes a novel mechanism for converting the low-speed motion of footfall to a higher speed oscillating motion suitable for electromagnetic power generation. The conversion is achieved using a cantilever beam which is deflected by the footfall motion using a special ‘striker’ mechanism which then allows the cantilever to oscillate freely at a relatively high speed. An arrangement of permanent magnets attached to the cantilever causes an alternating magnetic field, and a stationary coil converts this to a usable voltage. This article describes the mechanism and provides a mathematical model of its behaviour which allows the system parameters to be optimised and its performance predicted. The performance of a prototype device is presented, and it is shown that this is capable of generating up to 60 mJ/step and that the conversion efficiency is up to 55%.

Citation

Gilbert, J. M., & Balouchi, F. (2014). A vibrating cantilever footfall energy harvesting device. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 25(14), 1738-1745. https://doi.org/10.1177/1045389X14521880

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 3, 2014
Online Publication Date Feb 6, 2014
Publication Date 2014-09
Deposit Date Feb 24, 2016
Publicly Available Date Feb 24, 2016
Journal Journal of intelligent material systems and structures
Print ISSN 1045-389X
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 25
Issue 14
Pages 1738-1745
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/1045389X14521880
Keywords Energy harvesting, Energy scavenging, Footfall, Efficiency, Energy conversion
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/411371
Publisher URL http://jim.sagepub.com/content/25/14/1738
Additional Information This is an author's accepted manuscript of an article published in Journal of intelligent material systems and structures, 2014, v.25 issue 14
Contract Date Feb 24, 2016

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